Instagram’s Explore Updated With Location And Hashtag Stories

It has been two months since Snapchat rolled out its Stories Search feature. Now, Instagram is again, blatantly rolling out another feature that does more or less exactly the same thing. The photo-sharing platform is releasing Location Stories to its Explore page. By the look of it, Instagram is following the same purpose with a different approach. So let’s dive in to see some more details on how Instagram plans to do so.

Instagram’s Explore Tab Now Equipped With The New Location And Hashtag Stories

While Instagram’s Explore tab already featured discovering and finding new photos and videos, the social network is now introducing new location and hashtag stories. The new location stories will appear when you are near the current location and other users are publishing content with the format and tagging location. Hashtag stories on the other hand will appear in the search results which will include stories that use certain hashtag stickers.

You’ll see a new story ring at the top of Explore filled with stories happening near you. These stories come from people who have used location stickers on their stories. You can also search for any location around the world, and you’ll see a story ring for that place at the top of the location page.

The stories will be pulled from anyone who is using geolocation stickers and hashtag stickers in the stories feature. Moreover, Instagram says that you can also be part of the group story as well when you are using the location and hashtag stickers.

However, one can question if they do not want to be part of the stories included with hashtag and location in the Explore tab. To opt out of it, all you have to do is tap the X on your stories viewer list. This will allow you to use the location and hashtag sticker but your story will not appear on the Explore.

According to Instagram, the new location stories feature is a part of version 10.22 which is available for both iOS and Android. However, the new hashtag stories will roll out over the next few weeks. It’s definitely a neat addition if you’re looking for photos or videos based on a specific location.

There will be more to the story, so be sure to stay tuned for that. As for now, what are your thoughts on Instagram’s new Explore features? Share your views with us in the comments section below.